For many people, though, prescription medications are much more important than buying a pair of jeans. While it’s okay to wear the same pair of jeans until you can afford another, this is not the case for medications. Several studies have shown that many people skip filling prescriptions in order to save money, and this has a long-term effect on one’s health and is actually more costly in the long run. How much more costly? One Health Affairs study published in 2011 claims that for every dollar spent on high blood pressure medication, for example, a patient will save an additional $10 on future hospitalizations, tests, or operations. In other words, by taking all medications correctly now, a patient will have a greater chance of avoiding expensive procedures in the future.On October 19, 20 and 21, the FamilyWize marketing team distributed 1,800 prescription discount cards to mall shoppers. We also gave out Script Your Future wallet medicine reminder cards, pillboxes, reusable grocery bags, and Halloween glow sticks.

Most importantly, we offered visitors the opportunity to “Ask the Pharmacist,” Sharon Galzarano, RPh, questions about health and medications. We spoke to 232 of these visitors in greater detail, and here’s what we learned from them over the three days:

67% are personally concerned or impacted by the cost of prescription drugs;

An additional 10%, while not personally impacted, have family members or friends without adequate prescription coverage;

Several visitors admitted to regularly skipping doses or re-filling prescriptions to save money;

We are extremely happy to have been able to celebrate National Pharmacists Month at Roosevelt Field Mall and to promote the message that the FamilyWize prescription discount card is not only a unique cost-savings tool, but also one of many tools to improve one’s overall well being.

Aura Mastraghin
FamiliyWize Marketing Team Member and Contributing Writer